Telescope Reviews: Individual focus

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User

You are not logged in. [Login]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars

Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)

Light_Years_743
member

Reged: 01/18/11

Individual focus new

#5476197 - 10/18/12 01:29 AM

I have never used IF bino's before. Is it a hassle when observing the night sky? I feel like I might get confused on how to use 'em...

Edited by Light_Years_743 (10/18/12 01:30 AM)

Post Extras:

BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Light_Years_743]
#5476213 - 10/18/12 01:42 AM

No, and you won't. As a general rule they are more rugged and trouble free that CF units. For following fast action, they're terrible. But, if you are out under the stars and a celestial object is rapidly changing its profimity, you have much more to worry about than looking through a binocular!

BillC

Post Extras:

Light_Years_743
member

Reged: 01/18/11

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: BillC]
#5476226 - 10/18/12 01:50 AM

Thanks, Bill. Im having so much trouble finding the Binocular I want.

My limit is $250.

If I were to buy the Fuji clones...im not sure which to get.

Post Extras:

BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Light_Years_743]
#5476241 - 10/18/12 02:04 AM

If you mean the BA8s, they're a good choice.

They are:

The Resolux
The Premium
The First Mate
The Signature
The Ultra
and any number of other names. They are not quite as good as the Fujinon. But don't cost as much, either.

Cheers,

Bill

Post Extras:

charen
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/28/05

Loc: New Zealand

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Light_Years_743]
#5476264 - 10/18/12 02:24 AM

IF binos are recommend for astro use. Once 'set' for each eye they will remain focused. The stars are fixed so the focus will remain until adjusted again.
IF also has the added advantage of having no 'play', which binos with a central focus and an eye bridge can have.
IF is recommended for astro. use and CF recommend for fast moving objects like birds.

Chris

Post Extras:

mercedes_sl1970
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/02/05

Loc: Canberra, Oz

Re: Individual focus [Re: charen]
#5476303 - 10/18/12 03:21 AM

Hi - IF binos are excellent for astro use. As others have said, just set and forget! The BA8 binoculars are also very good value for money.

Andrew

Post Extras:

RichD
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/08/07

Loc: Derbyshire, UK

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: mercedes_sl1970]
#5476374 - 10/18/12 05:13 AM

Can you get a 10x50 BA8 in the US for that budget? That would prob be my choice, nice bino and will last you a lifetime if not abused!

As above don't worry about IF, for astro they are great and you won't need to worry about sealing, the IF design is better than any CF model in that regard. I have had a couple of CF binos that have let moisture in just due to being used on very dewy nights.

Post Extras:

RichD
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/08/07

Loc: Derbyshire, UK

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: RichD]
#5476375 - 10/18/12 05:17 AM

I see that Orion and Amazon are offering the 10x50 BA8 for $259.99. Prob other places doing them cheaper too - very fair price for that bino.

Post Extras:

Man in a Tub
Postmaster

Reged: 10/28/08

Loc: Fogpatch, CA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Light_Years_743]
#5476546 - 10/18/12 08:51 AM

Quote:

Thanks, Bill. Im having so much trouble finding the Binocular I want.

My limit is $250.

If I were to buy the Fuji clones...im not sure which to get.

Garrett Signature 10x50 is $249.95.

https://www.garrettoptical.com/High-Definition-10x50-Waterproof-Binoculars-p/s1050hd-wp.htm

You can calculate shipping via add to cart. For example, if I wanted one, the total cost would be $266 for ground shipping (3-4 business days).

Post Extras:

KennyJ
The British Flash

Reged: 04/27/03

Loc: Lancashire UK

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Man in a Tub]
#5476595 - 10/18/12 09:35 AM

I have to agree that individual focus is great for viewing the night sky.

My only problem at first was resisting the urge to fiddle with the focus,even when I knew it correct,which was and remains a long-standing habit with centre-focus models.

Kenny

Post Extras:

Man in a Tub
Postmaster

Reged: 10/28/08

Loc: Fogpatch, CA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: KennyJ]
#5476597 - 10/18/12 09:37 AM

Quote:

My only problem at first was resisting the urge to fiddle with the focus,even when I knew it correct,which was and remains a long-standing habit with centre-focus models.

Kenny

Ain't that the truth!

Post Extras:

Tony Flanders
Postmaster

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Light_Years_743]
#5476664 - 10/18/12 10:26 AM

Quote:

I have never used IF bino's before. Is it a hassle when observing the night sky?

I find individual focus a pain for hand-held binoculars, but it's great when the binoculars are mounted.

Post Extras:

btschumy
Vendor - Southern Stars

Reged: 04/13/04

Loc: Longmont, CO, USA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Tony Flanders]
#5476802 - 10/18/12 11:53 AM

I find IF binoculars great for personal use and I do recommend them. However, if you are going to be sharing the views with others, be aware that going back and forth between users can be a bit of a pain.

First, they may not know how to use IF binoculars so you will need to show them. Second, you will need to have each person remember their own individual adjustments so they can quickly reset them to their needs when they want to look (or they can just put up with non-optimal settings).

Overall, I find CF binoculars are somewhat easier to deal with in a public setting.

Post Extras:

Gordon Rayner
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/24/07

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: btschumy]
#5476878 - 10/18/12 12:38 PM

If you are sharing the view, the sharee needs to set the right and left diopters on an IF. That is two adjustments.

Two adjustments are required on CF: First, the CF ring for the eye whose side lacks a diopter setting ring, and then the diopter ring for the other eye. That is a total of two adjustments, equal to the number required for IF.

There is no difference in the time required.

Have you any news to report about Iphone/Ipad or Android, as self-contained devices to replace encoders, for aiming telescopes/binocular?

Perhaps an auxiliary plug-in with more accurate gyros or GPS than the standard phone/pad equipment?

Post Extras:

Mark9473
Postmaster

Reged: 07/21/05

Loc: 51°N 4°E

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Gordon Rayner]
#5476946 - 10/18/12 01:17 PM

I'm happy to be the exception here - I once had a BA8 7x50 and never took to the IF. The only binocular I've ever used that really holds its focus indefinitely (or until used in the daytime) is my Docter Nobilem 15x60 and that's a CF model.

Post Extras:

Light_Years_743
member

Reged: 01/18/11

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Mark9473]
#5476964 - 10/18/12 01:26 PM

alright, thanks all...

now I dont know what I want to do...

My choices are:

PCF WP II 10x50
Fuji clones
Nikon AE 10X50

Post Extras:

Mark9473
Postmaster

Reged: 07/21/05

Loc: 51°N 4°E

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Light_Years_743]
#5476974 - 10/18/12 01:29 PM

Well optically the BA8 "Fuji clones" outclass the other two you mention.

Post Extras:

Light_Years_743
member

Reged: 01/18/11

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Mark9473]
#5477002 - 10/18/12 01:41 PM

Yeah, I figured. I was reading about how sharp the Pentax's are, and they have a lifetime warranty. The Garret and Resolux have two year warranty.

Man, if only i could afford the Polaris'.

Post Extras:

Tony Flanders
Postmaster

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Gordon Rayner]
#5477035 - 10/18/12 01:58 PM

Quote:

If you are sharing the view, the sharee needs to set the right and left diopters on an IF. That is two adjustments.

Two adjustments are required on CF: First, the CF ring for the eye whose side lacks a diopter setting ring, and then the diopter ring for the other eye. That is a total of two adjustments, equal to the number required for IF.

There is no difference in the time required.

In theory yes. But in practice a lot of people just fiddle with the center focus until the view is good enough, and ignore the difference between the eyes.

Although I'm happiest when both eyes are in good focus, I find it much more important to have good focus in my dominant eye than in my "helper" eye.

Post Extras:

btschumy
Vendor - Southern Stars

Reged: 04/13/04

Loc: Longmont, CO, USA

Re: Individual focus new

[Re: Tony Flanders]
#5477136 - 10/18/12 02:44 PM

Quote:

Quote:

If you are sharing the view, the sharee needs to set the right and left diopters on an IF. That is two adjustments.

Two adjustments are required on CF: First, the CF ring for the eye whose side lacks a diopter setting ring, and then the diopter ring for the other eye. That is a total of two adjustments, equal to the number required for IF.

There is no difference in the time required.

In theory yes. But in practice a lot of people just fiddle with the center focus until the view is good enough, and ignore the difference between the eyes.

Although I'm happiest when both eyes are in good focus, I find it much more important to have good focus in my dominant eye than in my "helper" eye.

I agree with Tony on this. Most folks adjust the (familiar) center focus knob until it is good enough. Trust me that I've done a lot of outreach with both CF and IF binos and most non-astronomers have a much easier time dealing with CF. And given they don't usually mess with the diopter adjustment, that means it's easier for me when I look through them again.

Post Extras:

Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)

Extra information

6 registered and 20 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: knuklhdastnmr, panhard

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Thread views: 1231

Jump to

CN Forums

Home

Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics